Freddie Roman(1937-2022)

Father of Alan Kirschenbaum.

[about Jules Podell] He was an absolute tyrant. I did a joke in my act opening night. Fella goes to the doctor. He says, "Doctor, I have a problem. I can't pee anymore." Doctor says, "How old are you?" "Ninety-four." The doctor says, "You've peed enough." Innocuous, cute joke. After the show the maitre'd comes over to me. He says, "Mr. Podell wants to see you." I said, "Oh my God! He's going to offer me a lifetime contract I was such a big hit!" I walked over and he looked up at me and he said, "Nobody pees at the Copacabana! People are eating here! Take that joke out!" I turned around and walked away and that was the last words he ever said to me. It was a little frightening. He was an imposing figure.